Granular mining machine



Nov. 7, 1950 F. c. GREENE 2,528,748

GRANULAR MINING MACHINE Filed Nov. 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

FRANK C. GREENE ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1950 F. c. GREENE 2,528,743

\ GRANULAR MINING MACHINE Filed Nov. 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.FRA N/( c. GRE ENE BY W AT Top/v5) 1950 I F. c. GREENE 2,528,748

GRANULAR MINING MACHINE Filed Nov. 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.FRANK C. GREENE AT TOPNEV 1950 F. c. GREENE 2,528,748

GRANULAR MINING MACHINE Filed Nov. 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 f fmui'."62 W ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 7, 195

GRANULAR MINING MACHINE Frank C. Greene, Oakland, Calif., assignor to InSitu Gases Incorporated, Reno, Nev., a corporation of Nevada ApplicationNovember 14, 1945, Serial No. 628,434

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a granular mining machine and moreparticularly to a machine for mechanically mining coal and similarfriable minerals.

Among the objects of the invention is to bore into the face of a bed ofcoal or similar subterranean deposit, and reduce it to granules, withoutthe formation of dust or powder.

Another object is the removal of the severeu granules from the face ofthe cut by air suction, without contamination of surrounding atmospherewithin the tunnel formed by the mining machine.

Another object is to mine the product in a simple and efiicient mannerwithout th formation of noncommercial byproducts in the form ofexplosive powders, or silicosic dusts dangerous to health and machinery.

A further object is the adaptation of the present invention to existingmeans and methods of conveying the granular product from the mine.

Heretofore, mechanized coal and similar mining has been accomplished bygrinding the face of the vein by abrasive wheels, and similar methods.This results in incidental dusty and powdered residuals, of an explosivenature and deleterious to health. There is also the additional cost ofremoving inert wastes from the mass of usable products, the commercialvolume of which is reduced thereby.

The present disclosure has to' do with the pro-' duction of granularcoal particles for technical conversion, rather than for directcombustion. Such conversions contemplate the production of metallurgicalfuels, low volatile chars, as ideal fuels or carbons formanufacturing-blue-gas and forhydrogenation'processes for the productionof hydrocarbon fuels. The granular size of the product resulting fromthe operation of this invention may be regulated to suit the particularuse'contemplated, as hereinafter described.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description progresses.In the specification and drawings the invention is disclosed in itspreferred form. But it is to be understood that it is not limited tothis form, because it may be embodied in modifications within the spiritof the invention as defined in the claims following the description.

' In the four sheets of drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation partly in section of the machine with thecutter shaft in its horizontal position. and indicating in dotted linesthe upper'and lower positions of this shaft.

Fig. 2 is a front View of the same with the cutter head in elevatedposition.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same in relation to the granuletransporting system.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in front elevation, of the rowel orpick-bit for reducing the face of the vein.

Fig. 5 is a cross section of the same on the line. V-V, Fig. 4. i

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail in front elevation of the supportingcarriage and contour drive for the gyrating tubular shaft, the contourguide being shown in vertical section.

Fig. 7 is a similar detail of the same in side elevation.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail of the swivel F, partially in verticalsection showing the flanged rear end of the gyrating' shaft.

Referring first to Fig. 1, in detail the structure comprises a chassishaving the triangular main frame with the side beams l, 2, divergingfrom the rear axle 3 to the front axle 4. The wheels such as 5 aremounted freely on the ends of the axles and have pneumatic tires thereonto resiliently support and form the mobile base for the machinery.

The gear case 6 extends vertically and is mounted between the rearaxles3. The superstructure 1 extends forward from above the main axis ofthe gear case, and flares downward and is mounted on th front axles 4.This superstructure is in the form of a semicircular open cone extendinglaterally along the front axle line rigid base mounting for the powermachinery.

The superstructure has the under bracket 8 from which the gear box 9 issuspended. The motor I0 is integrally mounted on. the gear box andextends forwardly and is cross braced between the side beams I, 2, forstability. This general structure forming in effect, a double 3-pointbracing suited to irregular roadways, is preferred because of itssimplicity and rigidity, but it is subject to modification andrearrangement to meet varying conditions.

The superstructure has the integral annular bearing H, supporting thehub l2, of the driven gear l3, rotating on the interposed anti-frictionand thrust bearing It. The driven gear 13 meshes with the'driving pinionl5, keyed on the shaft [6, that is driven by the intermediate re ductiongearing in the gear box 9, driven by the motor Ill. 1 r

The universal joint within the hub of the gear i3, has the ring IT inopposed relation to the bearing cover bolted to th hub 12. This ring hasthe trunnions I8, l9, pivotal within the gear hub I2, and the transversetrunnions such as 20, pivotally supporting the driven end of thegyrating tubular shaft 22.

The forward support for this gyrating shaft comprises the pair ofvertical hydraulic rams 23, 24, being the opposite ends of an arcuatetube fixed to the front edge of the superstructure, above the frontaxles 4, Fig. 2. These rams have the telescoping caps 25, 26, withinterposed pressure packing. These rams are cross connected and receiveequal hydraulic pressure through the control valve 27, interposed in thetubular stem 28 extending into the thrustor ram 29, with interposedpressure packing at 30. This thrustor ram lies upon the floor of thetunnel and is anchored by the sprag 3|, driven into the floor, see Fig.3, and receives hydraulic pressure from a service source not shown, tocause the caps 25, 26 to rise or fall according to the control of thevalve 21, which has a bleeder at 32 for releasing the pressure to causethe caps to descend.

The contour guide 33 is welded or fixed to the caps 25, 26, and risesand falls therewith. It preferably consists of a heavy guage pipe bentto the desired contour with a slot milled at the desired angle throughits wall to the interior at 34. The lateral margins of this slot areprovided with gear teeth 36, forming in effect an internal gear aroundthe inner contour of the guide: a

The shaft 22 passed through the plate 3'] which extends through the slotat 34 and into the interior of the guide 33, and has the shoe 38, theends of which are formed to ride on the interior of the tube on theopposite side of the slot 34 above the gear teeth 36 and support theweight of the shaft assembly 22, see detail Fig. 1, interposed in thedot-dash line indicating the elevated position of the drive shaft 22.

Two pairs of pinions 39, 40, and 50, are mounted on the opposite sidesof the plate 31, on the opposite sides of the gyrating shaft 22 andmeshed with the teeth 36 and the ring gears 52, 53, fixed on this shafton opposite sides of the plate 34. This train of gearing transmits therotation of the shaft 22 to the internal gear teeth 36 on the contourguide and causes the shaft to follow the contour of the guide, tha mayhave any desired contour, see Fig. 2.

- The cutter head 54 is preferably in the form of a concavo convex steelcasting, having its hub 55 fixed on the forward open end 'of thegyrating shaft 22. In practice this head is about six .feet in diameterand has interspaced bear ing sockets such as 56, around its peripheralmargin. These are arranged in a pitch circle about sixty inches indiameter, with about twelve of such sockets interspaced therein. Thesedimensions are in no sense critical, since they may be varied accordingto the results.

, in the form of the pick-bits 63 that percussively chisel a kerf offthe face of the coal X. These star-like .wheels are strictly percussioninstru-' mentalities forced radially into the coal or vein that isfractured bythe shattering action of each bit point 64 as it walksacross the face of the vein to more than the depth of its own thickness.They are not to be confused with saws, abrasive wheels or chisel wheelsthat are driven from a center of rotation.

Each of the bit points 64 as hereinafter claimed, resemble and functionin a manner similar to the squared point of a miners pick when driveninto the mass X; which action is multiplied a proportional extent as thehead 54 revolves at appropriate speeds according to the nature of themass X being disintegrated.

Each pick bit 63 has an axial socket to receive the head 50 of the bolt59, by which it is attached to the head 54, and revolves within thebearing 51. The points 64 are shaped and hardened like a coal minerspick with a similar bevel and rake to increase the fracturing effect ofthe pecussive penetration. The reason that the coal miners pick does notproduce dust is a matter of simple physics. When the squared pointstrikes the solid coal the square exerts a diffused impact pressure,like hydraulic pressure, Which forces compact granules or splinters fromthe solid coal face. This impact bears no resemblance to abrasion,scraping, chiseling or similar mechanical erosive effects, producingexplosive and silicosic dust, not tolerable in underground coal mines.

As the resultant granules are dislodged by the action of the pick bitsthey pass into the space 56 between the face of the convex cutter head54 and the face of the vein X. While these granules are in suspensionthey are sucked into This unit has a capacity of about forty tons perhour, for a distance of about twenty-five feet by air suction, witha-delivery distance of about seventy-five feet for discharge into thewater or other form of conveyor, for coal and masses of similar gravity.I a

This unit comprises the trailer A, having a motor driven suction unit B,having its intake C opening into a closed separator unit D. The

intake E of the separator is flexibly connectedwith the end of the shaft22 by the swivel joint F as shown in Fig. 3. The discharge G is flexiblyconnected with the transport system at H. The granular coal entering theupper portion of the separator D strikes a baifle and descends into theair-lock at I, fromwhich it flowsinto the discharge duct G and is forcedinto the transport system H, as described. The particular manner ofdisposing of the granular product of this invention is merely incidentaland it is not limited by the system shown. a

This invention operates substantially as follows: The motor [0, throughthe change speed gearing at 9, drives the shaft 22, through the gearingl3, l5, at the selected speed, The rotation of the shaft, acting throughthe gear train 39-5 3, rotates the head 54 and causes the series ofpick-points 64 to dig into the face of the vein X, cutting a kerfslightly thicker than the pick-bits 63, over an area circumscribed bythe controlling contour of the guide 33. The gym-- tion of the headcauses a planetary rotation of the pick-bits 63, in an orbit defined bythe contour guide 33 and eventually forming a tunnel through the mass X,having a curvilinear outline limited by the contour guide 33. The faceof the tunnel is concave on the radius from the pivotal center of theuniversal joint at I82 I.

The thruster stem 28 has the piston 23' on its rearward end within theram 29. The pump l8 provides hydraulic pressure for the ram, and has theinlet H leading to the mine water system, and discharges into the outlet12, Fig. 1, and the feed pipe '!3 connected to the ram ahead and behindthe piston 28, and selectively controlled by the manual valves 14, 15respectively.

As the face of the tunnel recedes, the control valve at 2'! is opened,causing the thrustor ram 2829 to advance the machine accordingly. Thisadvance can be manually synchronized by. the valve 21 to continuallymaintain the desired pressure of the pick-bits against the face of thevein X. When the thrustor reaches the end of its thrust, the spraganchor at 3| is lifted and the thrustor collapsed and reanchored for another and advance stroke of the thrustor. When the pick bits becomedulled the telescoping thrustor is backed up to make space between thehead 54 and the face X of the tunnel, to permit replacement of the pickbits.

The diameter of the pick bit and the number of teeth in its periphery islargel determined by the nature of the bed of coal or mass beingreduced. A diameter of about fourteen inches with twelve points 64 isaverage for coal. The depth of lateral penetration in the kerf, isdetermined largely by the nature of the coal and the desired size of theresultant granules. The penetrating percussion of the teeth can beregulated by the speed of the drive at 9. In soft or ligneous coals ordirt spot tunneling, concave,

discs, as used in agricultural implements may be substituted for thepick-bits shown, for shaving off the face of the mass X. The pick bitsmay be given a limited chattering effect by interposing the rubberlikecushion 61 between the bit and the bearing 51, to increase the lateralprying action of the points 64.

Unlike powdery and dusty masses, the granules resulting from the actionof this machine, are readily transported in pipe lines, by pumpingstages along the line, as in transporting petroleum and other fiuids.

The contour of the tunnel can be made self supporting without timberingand bracing, under ordinary circumstances. Should the nature of the veinor material operated upon, be such that it will not provide properanchorage for the sprag at 3|, the extensible jack-post 68 from there tothe ceiling of the tunnel may be interposed to anchor the thrustor at28.

The traction gearing described is interposed between the gear box 9 andthe rear wheels at 3, for transporting the machine from place to placewhen not operating.

I claim: 7

1. A mining machine of the class described, including a mobile base,power means mounted on said base; a gyrating, rotary shaft supported atone end of the base and driven by said power means; a contour guide onsaid base, movable means supported by said guide supporting the forwardportion of said shaft; driving means in said shaft operatively engagingsaid movable means on the guide to move the sameso that the shaftfollows the contour of the guide; a cutter head fixed on the forward endof said shaft; a percussion pick-bit rotatably mounted adjacent theperiphery of said head and including a plurality of tangentially taperedteeth terminating in relatively blunt points, said pick-bit beingrotated by the penetration of said points into the mass being mined; andmeans for progressively advancing said mobile base.

2. A granular mining machine of the class described, comprising a mobilebase with motive means thereon; a universal joint mounted on said base;a gyrating shaft driven by said motive means and supported by saiduniversal joint; a contour guide mounted on said base; a mobile carriagemounted on said contour guide and supporting the forward portion of saidshaft; and driving means on said shaft and engaging said guide forcausing said shaft to follow said contour.

3. A granular mining machine of the class described, comprising a mobilebase with motive means thereon; a universal joint mounted on said base;a gyrating tubular shaft driven by said motive means and supported insaid universal joint; raising and lowering means on said base; a contourguide mounted on said raising and lowering means and supporting theforward portion of said shaft; driving means on said shaft engaging saidcontour guide for causing said shaft to follow the contour of saidguide; a cutter head fixed on the forward end of said shaft; apercussion pick-bit rotatably mounted adjacent the periphery of saidhead and having tangentially tapered teeth terminating in relativelyblunt points and a suction conduit communicating with the interior ofthe said tubular shaft to withdraw granules produced by the pickbittherethrough.

4. A granular mining machine in the class described, comprising a mobilebase with motive means thereon; a thrust bearing mounted on said base; aring gear mounted in said thrust bearing and driven by said motivemeans; a gyrating tubular shaft projecting through said gear; auniversal joint interposed between said gear and shaft; raising andlowering means on said base; a contour guide mounted on said raising andlowering means and having gear teeth thereon; a carriage mounted on saidguide and supporting the forward portion of said shaft; a pinion gearfixed on said shaft and meshing with said gear teeth on said guide forcausing said shaft to follow the contour of said guide; a convex headfixed on the outer end of said shaft and concentric with said universaljoint; rotary pick-bits mounted on said head; and means for advancingsaid mobile base; and means for withdrawing granular material throughsaid head and tubular shaft.

5. A mining machine of the class described including a mobile base,power means on the base, a tubular shaft driven by said power means, auniversal joint supporting one end of said shaft for rotation andgyration about its axis, an annular, tubular contour guide surroundingthe shaft intermediate its ends, said guide having an annular slotextending throughout the inner periphery thereof, gear teeth on theguide adjacent the respective edges of the slot, the free ends of saidteeth extending toward the shaft when the same is in a horizontalposition, a movable carmeat 7 riagesupported by the guide and includingan apertured plate having a portion thereof passing through the slot anddisposed within the tubular'guide, means on the plate cooperating withthe internal surface of the guide to support the plate, spaced pairs ofgears on opposite sides of the portion of the plate exteriorly of theguide, said gears meshing with the teeth in the guide, the said shaftpassing through the aperture in the plate and supported therein,longitudinally spaced drive gears on the shaft meshing respectively withthe spaced pairs of gears on the plate so that rotation of the shafteffects movement of the carriage and the shaft follows the contour ofthe guide, and a head fixed to the free end of the shaft including aplurality of spaced freely rotatable cutters mounted thereon adjacentthe periphery thereof.

6. A mining machine as defined in and by claim 5 wherein a shoe issecured to the top of the said apertured plate, and which shoe has awidth in excess of the slot in the guide so that the shoe rides on theinterior of the guide on opposite sides of the slot and thereby supportsthe weight of the plate and the'shaft.

7. A mining machine as defined in and by claim 1 wherein said shaft ishollow and a suction conduit communicates with the interior of the shaftto withdraw the mined particles therethrough.

8. "A mining machine including a mobile base, power means mounted onsaid base, stationary bearing means mounted on the base, a hollow shaftpassing through and in spaced relation to said bearing means, a drivenpinion having a hub journaled in said bearing means,said pinion beingconcentrically disposed about said shaft, a universal connection betweenthe inion and the shaft to permit the shaft to rotate andgyrate,-

a driving gear in mesh with said pinion, said driving gear receivingpower from the power means, spaced vertically extensible supportsincorporated with said base forwardly of said power means, each of saidsupports being disposed on opposite sides of the axis of rotation ofsaid shaft,

. r c 8 c an annular contour guide supported by said supports andsurrounding in spaced relation said shaft, gear teeth on the contourguide, a movable carriage supported by said guide and supporting saidshaft adjacent thereto drive gear-'- ing on said shaft and gearing onsaid carriage meshing respectively with the drive gearing on the shaftand the teeth on the contour guide whereby rotation of the shaft effectsgyratory movement thereof on its axis by reason of its gearedinterconnection with the contour guide so that the shaft follows anannular path cor-' responding to the shape of the contour guide, theouter end of said shaft having a head fixedly secured thereto, said headhaving a plurality of freely rotating pick-bits universally mountedthereon, each pick-bit having a plurality of teeth each having aradially disposed edge, and a tangentially disposed edge and each toothterminating in a blunt point, so that in operation the blunt pointexerts impact pressure on the mass being mined to spall off granulestherefrom and suction means, including a conduit communicating with thehollow shaft to withdraw the produced granules therethrough and means toadvance the mobile base and to elevate the said supports.

FRANK C. GREENE.

REFERENCES CITED 7 The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Ramsay June 1, 1943

